The Oil Drum: Local | 2006 Local Initiatives

2006 Local Initiatives

Posted by Glenn on December 28, 2005 - 7:12pm in The Oil Drum: Local
Topic: Policy/Politics
Tags: bike lanes, compact fluorescent lighting, oil, peak oil, traffic congestion [list all tags]

We talk a lot here on TOD about the big picture international supply and consumption issues, which is important and necessary. But today I'd like us to start thinking about local solutions. I'm thinking of stuff that does not rely on Federal or State level action/funding. Think of actions that either you can take or that you can lobby for in your local community. I think many of the local solutions not only help reduce energy usage, but could also improve quality of life and improve health.

As a resident of Manhattan's Upper East Side, a very densely populated area where very few people own cars, I'm focusing mostly on building infrastructure for alternate transportation (walking, cycling, etc), local food markets, energy efficiency and raising awareness.

Alternative Transportation: Biking in NYC is both dangerous and inconvenient because there is little to no infrastructure for cyclists. I'm lobbying my company, my landlord, my local officials to create more indoor bike parking to make cycling easier for people in the neighborhood. I'm also going to work with Transportation Alternatives and the local community board to extend more bike lanes on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, including finishing the 1st and 2nd Avenue bike lanes, finishing the greenway connection on the East River underneath the Queensboro bridge and banning cars from Central Park.
Local Food Networks: I want to build a Farmer's Market on the Upper East Side. Right now, there are none while the Upper West Side has five. I have been in touch with my new local councilwoman's office and they have been very supportive and have even offered to help me make the connections with people who can make it happen. Building a local connection to food will help reduce the distance food has to travel by truck and support local farms, plus it just tastes better.
Reduce Electrical Usage: I have already reduced my personal electrical usage from 8kwh/day to 4kwh/day through using Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs. I plan to keep my daily electrical usage below 4kwh/day with the goal of getting down to 2 kwh/day. With new low cost CFLs (less than $2 each) and my Kill-a-Watt, I plan to start going around to friends houses and showing them how they can reduce energy usage - Save Money, Save the Environment, Prepare for Peak Oil/Energy!
Green Homes/Buildings: While New York's small apartments are far more efficient than the McMansions out in the Suburbs, they still have major inefficiencies with seasonal heating and cooling needs. I plan to lobby my local officials and landlord to make more buildings more energy efficient.
Raising Awareness of Peak Oil: More End Of Suburbia screenings, more mentioning in conversations, including it explicitly in my emails and contributions to public officials. The more minds turning on this issue in my local area, the better.

I look forward to hearing from people across the country on what they have planned for 2006.